“[Insects Vs. Robots] are about possibilities. That’s why they can wrap a lyric like ‘please, [f***] off’ in lovely strings and make it sound so sweet. That’s how they make their old-timey stringed instruments sound so cosmically futuristic, too. (And that’s also why their electric guitar solos shred.) This is heady stuff, in all senses of the word.” – LA Weekly

September 30, 2014

Insects Vs. Robots Receives Rolling Stone Rave

About ‘Epic Time-Shifting Prog Jams’

Band Gets Ghoully For Halloween Shows

LOS ANGELES, CA – Building into a groundswell of acclaim, which includes the OC Weekly noting “the psychedelic folk rockers are at their best when onstage, and don’t hesitate to let their personalities come through during performances,” Insects vs. Robots has received rave reviews for their performance at Farm Aid (organized and headlined by Micah’s dad, Willie Nelson). RollingStone.com wrote, “Micah Nelson soon took the stage with his psych-folk act Insects vs. Robots, leading epic time-shifting prog jams as guitarist Milo Gonzalez performed back-bending contortion moves.” Likewise, Raleigh News Observer wrote, “Insects vs Robots, a young fusion band that sounded not unlike how the Punch Brothers might have turned out if they’d started from jazz rather than classical.”

Continuing to put on their unique performances, it’s fitting that a band described as “Psychedelic freak-folk-rock space-punk gnome-orchestra” would be playing a Halloween event described as a “psychedelic freak out.” And that’s just what Insects vs. Robots is doing this October to celebrate All Hallows’ Eve.

The Los Angeles-based band is slated to perform a series of Halloween costume parties as part of The Electric Ghoul-Acid Test II on the first three Tuesdays of October (Oct 7, Oct. 14, and Oct. 21) at The Del Monte Speakeasy/Venice Townhouse in Venice, California.

“We do encourage people to come to the show in costume, though of course it’s not required. It’s just fun to dress up and get weird and spooky. It’s good for you. There aren’t really any other months out of the year when being a ridiculous freak in public is not only socially accepted, but expected and encouraged. Being able to hide behind a mask or costume allows people to step into a different identity temporarily and so much of the fear and social boundaries are thrown out the window. Our Halloween shows are the best! People get super wild and fun and hilarious and it’s entertaining for everybody,” says the band’s J. Micah Nelson (charango, guitar, vocals, percussion, vocals, noises, whispers, drums).

Of course, Halloween is more than trick-or-treating, sticky sweets, costumes, and great parties. Nelson appreciates the long history and folklore of the holiday as well. He explains the appeal, “In old Celtic Ireland, Samhain (Autumn) was a spiritual time, but with some twisty warped chaos tossed in. As it was a transitional time, being ‘between worlds,’ the veil between worlds became thinner so that fairies, puka, ban sheers, and other spirits could come and go as they please. ‘Shape shifters’ were also about. This is the origin of the dark spooky side of Halloween. Bonfires would be lit and people would wear masks to confuse the spirits who might be seeking revenge from the afterlife. In the late 1700s in England, the concept of ‘mischief night’ emerged, originally in May, but which eventually became October 31. On this night children would sneak about the towns pulling pranks and causing chaos.”

Insects vs. Robots is also working on a show for Halloween, Oct. 31, itself as well. Details to come.